SMART eTickets vs Visit Marin County
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SMART eTickets
Purchase and use train tickets instantly on your phone with a debit or credit card. Register securely and buy single or round-trip tickets, with discounts for eligible passengers. Store, activate, and display tickets for easy travel.
- Instant ticket purchase
- Debit/credit card payment
- Discounted fares for youth, seniors, and disabled
- Group ticket payment
- Store multiple tickets
- Activate tickets before boarding
- Transfer tickets to new devices
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The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) eTickets app allows you to purchase and use tickets instantly on your phone using a debit or credit card. Simply download the free app, register your e-mail address in our secure system and you're ready to ride. With the SMART Train Mobile Tickets app, you can: · Purchase one-way or round-trip tickets · Receive a discounted fare if you qualify as: Youth (5 -18), Senior (65 & Older) or a passenger with disabilities · Pay a single fare or multiple fares for a group of riders · Store multiple tickets on your phone for future use · Activate tickets · Register your debit/credit card in our secure system IMPORTANT REMINDERS: · You need an account to use mobile tickets. An account only requires an email & password · Once you purchase your ticket it will appear in your "ticket wallet" · Activate your ticket shortly before boarding the SMART Train · If you purchased multiple tickets remember to activate all of them. Tickets are displayed in order of activation. Swipe to advance to the next ticket · Be prepared to show your active ticket(s) to SMART personnel · Keep an eye on your battery level. You are held responsible for having a mobile phone in good working order and usable prior to boarding. If your mobile phone is inoperable you must use some other payment method for the journey · Mobile tickets do not need cell phone or WiFi services to be activated. However, you do need connectivity during the purchase of the ticket. · Mobile tickets are valid for 90 minutes after activation · Mobile tickets that have been purchased, but not activated, will expire after 30 days · Transfer credits are not available via the SMART mobile ticket app · If you lose or purchase a new device you can transfer any valid, unused tickets to a new device. SMART POLICY ON REFUNDS: · Generally, SMART does not issue refunds on mobile products · In the case of extenuating circumstances, customers can submit a refund request · Refund form can be found on: www.SonomaMarinTrain.org
Visit Marin County
Plan your trip to Marin County with integrated search, booking, and itinerary management. Discover local recommendations, real-time updates, and connect with other travelers.
- Flight, hotel, and car rental search
- Itinerary management
- Real-time travel updates
- Integrated maps and navigation
- Local recommendations
- User reviews and ratings
- Traveler community features
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Search and Booking: Users of the MCVB app can search for flights, hotels, and rental cars based on their travel dates, preferences, and budget, allowing users to compare prices and choose the best deals. Itinerary Management: The MCVB app helps travellers manage their itineraries. Users can input their travel plans, including flight details, hotel reservations, and activities, all in one place. Some apps even send reminders for upcoming flights or check-in times. Real-Time Updates: The MCVB app can provide real-time notifications about flight status, gate changes, and delays. This feature helps travellers stay informed and adjust their plans accordingly. Maps and Navigation: Integrated maps with the MCVB app help users navigate new cities, find nearby attractions, restaurants, and services. Local Recommendations: The MCVB travel app includes curated lists of local attractions, dining options, and activities based on user preferences and reviews. This helps travellers discover hidden gems and popular spots. User Reviews and Ratings: The MCVB app features user-generated reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants, and attractions, helping travellers make informed decisions based on the experiences of others. Travel Community: The MCVB app has social features that allow users to connect with other travellers, share tips, and ask for advice. This can enhance the travel experience by fostering a sense of community. Customer Support: The MCVB app can provide customer support features, such as chatbots or live chat, to assist users with any issues or questions they may have during their visit to Marin County.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Visit Marin County at 100% against SMART eTickets's 22%. Visit Marin County also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.1) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months). SMART eTickets's advantage is ratings volume (36 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Visit Marin County holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SMART eTickets has 36 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of SMART eTickets's written reviews are positive against 100% of Visit Marin County's.
SMART eTickets ships an update every 4 months, Visit Marin County fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SMART eTickets | Visit Marin County |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.1 (36 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 22.2% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 36 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 71 MB | 202 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit | Marin Visitors Network |
Customer experience
SMART eTickets
Visit Marin County
In-app purchases
SMART eTickets
No in-app purchases
Visit Marin County
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SMART eTickets free?
Is Visit Marin County free?
Which has better reviews, SMART eTickets or Visit Marin County?
Do SMART eTickets or Visit Marin County have ads?
Which is updated more often, SMART eTickets or Visit Marin County?
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